The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is poised for a major boost in airpower with the planned acquisition of 49 modern aircraft by the end of 2026, according to the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar.
The announcement was made on Wednesday during the opening of the 2025 Aircraft Engineering Conference held at NAF Headquarters in Abuja. Themed “Enhancing Aircraft Serviceability in the NAF through Strong Maintenance Culture and Strategic Partnerships,” the conference focused on strengthening engineering efficiency within the force.
“These aircraft are all high-tech platforms that require very sophisticated maintenance activities to operate effectively,” said Abubakar, emphasizing the urgent need for a highly skilled and responsive engineering workforce.
The CAS noted that 15 new aircraft had already been acquired in the past two years, including:
• 6 T-129 ATAK helicopters
• 2 AW-109 Trekker Type A helicopters
• 3 Beechcraft King Air aircraft
• 4 Diamond 62 reconnaissance planes
He also highlighted significant investments in logistics, spare parts, and ground support tools, stating that all operable aircraft will be fully serviceable by Q4 2025.
Air Vice Marshal A.I. Amodu, Chief of Aircraft Engineering, reiterated the importance of innovation and proactive maintenance as key to meeting the demands of a rapidly evolving security environment.
“Aircraft engineering is the backbone that supports the NAF’s mission and objectives,” he said, calling for a deep-rooted culture of excellence and innovation.
As the NAF expands its fleet, officials say the future of air defense will depend not only on hardware but also on data-driven, tech-savvy maintenance systems to sustain operational excellence.
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